I finally quit smoking

[MrYum]

Congrats Pornrex...that's a great accomplishment!

I've been smoking since I was 12...quit a few years ago for almost 2 years. Started up again after moving to Florida...someday, I'll get that internal 'something' that's necessary to quit again.

Hats off to ya buddy...good for you

[Preacher]

Congrats Pornrex...first the Steelers win the superbowl and now this, seems like it's your year for important accomplishments.

Myself, I can't give up that occassional cigar, but that doesn't really compare to daily cigarette smoking. Good luck to all those who have that urge to kick, it's hard I know.

[docholly]

Congrats and keep up the good work

One thing you might want to do if you haven't already..Like if you smoke mainly at your desk..is change it around.. even if you move it to a different angle, it won't be the same and your brain will be tricked. Likewise if you went outside to smoke in the back yard, then go to the backyard a different way if possible.. front door and walk around..

anyway.. Good JOB!!

[quest]

WithOut a doubt Congrats PornRex,

Quitting must be the hardest thing to do as I have not been able to.
I started somewhere in the 70's and really feel the effects after so many years...

Again, Great to hear you broke the habit


Ben

[pornrex]

Thank you very much guys and gals. Your well wishes and encouraging words and stories only re-inforce my commitment to staying smoke free. Now, more than ever, I can't wait to go for my first run this Sunday.

docholly - the fact that I did not smoke at or around my computer was a miracle in itself. Thanks for the tip though. I'm sure someone reading this thread could see the logic behind that.

cosmiccat brings up a VERY strong arguement from a financial perspective. Smoking has become expensive. Thanks for pointing that out, I will add that as another reason to my "reasons for quitting smoking" list.

quest: I used to smoke anywhere between one and a half to two packs a day. I weened myself off slowly until the last day in which I was down to one cigarette and I didn't even bother to finish it. Quitting smoking is like a chess match. You've got to have a winning strategy. You can't just blindly say "I'm quitting" and that's it. Its not realistic to think that way and you'll only set yourself up for failure. Think about it.

If ANY of you need assistance or tips or advice, keep reading this thread. Remember, nicotine is THE MOST ADDICTIVE substance on earth. This is not a walk in the park. It is a life altering decision to quit and the most demanding process for self improvement.

Just because my body is much better off now doesn't mean I am out of the woods yet, by any stretch. Anyone who has quit knows that the temptation is there. That's why its so important to get involved in activities that will strengthen the lungs (such as running or jogging) and keep you from not thinking about how you USED to function and instead think about how much STRONGER you are becoming.

I am like a recovering alcoholic in a sense. I must keep doing the things that have given me success thus far in staying smoke free and do more activities that take me further away from that nasty habit.

|cool|

[blazi]

Originally Posted by pornrex

I must keep doing the things that have given me success thus far in staying smoke free and do more activities that take me further away from that nasty habit.

|cool|

just keep up the good work, I wish I had your willpower

[pornrex]

I just sat down and did some rough calculations regarding this whole smoking thing.

Here is a very rudimentary cost analysis that I used to endure not too long ago.

(All prices in Canadian $ Toronto because that's where I live)

Pack of smokes: $7-10 (depending on brand, small/large pack)
Consumption per day: 1 sometimes 2 packs (we'll say 1.5 packs/day)

That's about $8.50 x 1.5 packs/day = $12.75 per day based on an average between 1 small pack and 1 large pack.

So, $12.75 x 365 days per year = $4,653.75.
That does not include the cost of lighters, matches, etc. but I won't include that in the cost analysis because its insignificant.

So, $4,653.75 x 16 years = $74,460.00

Now obviously the price of cigarettes has fluctuated over the years but just looking at that number has angered me even more than I could ever be at myself. Fuck.

Now if I compound that over 16 years at a very modest 5% works out to be about 115,714.12.

That's alot of fucking bling to realize that I inhaled in the form of tobacco for absolutely nothing. That does not include the cost of non-tobacco products which I won't get into here.

OK NOW I AM REALLY FUCKING PISSED....